The front door is like a gate to our fortress – strong, relentless, reliable – but also welcoming, so that our guests and the people living in the house feel comfortable. It is chosen in order to enjoy good thermal insulation and to be sure that the family and our property are protected. But note this: a front door is rarely carved in stone, and like all industrial products that one purchases, it is worth doing something for your own front door from time to time, taking care of it and carrying out regular front door maintenance. It includes proper installation, careful cleaning, lubricating hinges and locks and protecting the door against weather conditions.
In this article, we deal with front door maintenance and the way one should take care of their own front door so that it lasts longer and fulfils all our needs – so that it provides the house with the required protection for decades. Experts from Fenbro, your trusted supplier of windows and doors from Poland, have a few suggestions.
It starts with the installation
Naturally, the installation – the same rule applies here as with the installation of windows – of a new front door must be carried out properly. Because even the best front door is of no use if it is not carefully fixed and sealed. With incorrect installation, it could even happen that the door becomes a danger to the residents of the house, because in extreme cases it could fall during strong winds.
This does not necessarily mean, however, that a front door – perhaps a Polish front door purchased from Fenbro – must be installed by an externally hired professional company. If the customer is knowledgeable and knows what they are doing, it is also perfectly fine to install a door on one’s own, and there is no risk of losing the warranty.
Still, there is quite a lot to say when it comes to proper front door installation. Correct positioning, levelling, fixing, sealing – proper adjustment, the use of materials best suited to the local climate. All of this goes into the installation work, and properly taking all these matters into account is of decisive importance for successful installation. If you still have questions in this regard – simply call Fenbro – we will gladly advise you!
Front door canopy – why proper protection matters?
Even if the installation is carried out correctly and in accordance with all rules of good building practice, it does not end there. Only when there is a small front door canopy or over door canopy above the entrance, possibly some protective features beside the door, or when the whole door is planned to be installed in a recess in the façade – only then can we speak about proper protection of the front door.
The correct dimensions for a canopy above the front door – especially for an outward-opening front door – are: one metre in length from the wall surface, as well as at least 50 cm on the left and right from the outer edge of the door. Furthermore, the canopy should be built no more than 30 cm above the door, including the toplight.
It may happen that local conditions require a larger front door canopy so that your new front door is properly protected against weather conditions. Depending on what the sun exposure looks like in a given place, how heavily it rains, and how much snow gathers during winter, it may turn out that a differently designed canopy is required in order to properly protect the door leaf.
Please note: the dimensions we provide are on the one hand a recommendation, but they may also constitute a warranty condition – meaning that with some manufacturers it is mandatory to build a canopy above the front door, otherwise the warranty becomes void. This is particularly the case with composite doors – including Polish composite doors – containing wood, and even more so with solid wood doors.
The door leaf – not always made of stone
Although the front door, regardless of the main material, is strong and resistant, it still remains a product that also requires maintenance and a certain amount of care. A door that is looked after fulfils the technical requirements placed on it for years and, on the other hand, makes the property shine.
Front door cleaning, regardless of the material it is made of, is easy and does not require more energy, time or resources than taking care of windows. The surface is easiest to wipe with a wet cloth and a little washing-up liquid – one drop is enough. Glazing can be cleaned with an ordinary glass cleaner. Many homeowners wonder how to clean a front door properly, but in most cases warm water and a mild cleaning product are enough.
Wiping the outside can be particularly important during the colder season, because depending on the location of your front door, things such as road salt or slush may gather on it. If in spring you notice that your front door (or any other surfaces around the house) appears somewhat greenish or yellowish – this is flower dust, meaning pollen – it will not cause any damage and can easily be wiped away.
Interested in window care too? Read our article: Window maintenance: what you can do to extend the life of your windows.
How should you lubricate door hinges and locks?
Hinges are the parts of the door equipment that are under the greatest strain during everyday use – and they should function quietly so that comfort of use is maintained. They carry the door leaf for many years, day and night, in the summer heat and winter cold. Together with the lock and the bolts used, they keep the leaf in the door frame and in this way provide protection.
The lubrication process is the same regardless of what door material one has. Hinges will last longer if they are lubricated regularly – lubricants work against wear and offer some protection against dirt. Proper door lock lubrication is also recommended. Usually, it is enough to lubricate the hinges and lock once or twice per year – then the door functions practically smoothly and quietly.
Please note: if any hardware parts begin to move incorrectly or heavily, or generally stop functioning properly – first use some WD-40 for cleaning, wait a little (the product flows off and evaporates within a short time – pay attention to possible marks), and lubricate again. If nothing changes – call in a professional who will inspect the door and make a diagnosis.
Handles and pull bars – often forgotten
The handle – if one has it instead of a pull bar – is another mechanical part of the leaf that should be wiped regularly. Pay attention to the play-free movement of the handle during use of the door – it should not be loose, otherwise there is a danger that one day it will fail.
Be careful with LED handles! Although an illuminated pull bar does not directly require maintenance, protection of the leaf must include the electrical wiring. All electrical connections – parts, cables, bulbs, diodes – must urgently and without exception be protected from water!
How to take care of your exterior door threshold?
The door threshold – if one has it at all – again requires attention especially during autumn and winter, because remains of leaves, snow or slush may gather there. In unfavourable weather conditions, it may also happen that material gathers on the outside of the door and, if one has an outward-opening door, blocks the opening of the leaf or leads to uneven strain on the hinges.
How to maintain wooden front doors – a special case explained
Wooden front doors, and especially those made of solid wood, require slightly different wooden front door maintenance than composite or aluminium systems. They are both somewhat of a challenge and at the same time offer extended possibilities in terms of customisation. With a bit of craftsmanship and an eye for aesthetics, one can achieve a certain adjustment of the ambience with a solid wood door.
If a solid wood door appears worn – the colour fades, dents or cracks become visible – it can easily be sanded down somewhat, and it is possible to touch up the coating if one has the correct paint or finish (after sanding this is even necessary, so that the surface is protected again with varnish). One can also go even further and completely redesign the door by repainting the whole door leaf again – after proper preparation work.
The same applies to exterior wood door maintenance in areas exposed to strong sun, rain or snow. One should only pay attention to properly protecting the parts (lock, hinges, glazing if applicable) during the work, so that they are not dirtied or flooded with paint. Check this guide for more knowledge: How to take care of your wooden exterior doors?
Winter and summer – same door, different conditions
Winter and summer place strain on the door leaf, as already described, in completely different ways. While summer heat and sunlight can cause the surface to fade under strong, repeated and long-term exposure, winter brings cold temperatures and frost that can also affect the door.
Generally, one should pay attention to protecting the door leaf against strong weather influences, including heavy rain, snow and sunlight. At the same time, take care of the mechanical parts such as hinges – especially in the case of external hinges it is recommended to lubricate them, for example after significant rain or generally after the winter season.
Conclusion
In the end, proper front door maintenance is not complicated – not even if it is made of solid wood. One simply follows a few rules, such as protection against weather conditions, lubrication of the mechanical parts and removal of dirt during the colder season – and everything should work properly.
Fenbro specialists additionally emphasise the advantages of developing a canopy above the front door: this not only provides protection for your front door, but also brings certain advantages for the residents – for example, one can calmly look for the key while it rains. Get in touch with Fenbro, and we will gladly advise you in the area of doors and proper protection of the door leaf.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is it beneficial to have a canopy above the entrance area?
Yes, absolutely. Above all, it is about protecting the front door – the leaf and the finish – against weather influences. In this way, the door leaf remains undamaged.
Are there any minimum canopy dimensions that should be followed?
There are certain dimensions – length and width of the canopy – specified by manufacturers: one metre in length from the façade surface and around 50 cm wider than the door or sidelight frame. The exact dimensions that will work best on site, however, depend on local conditions.
What does Fenbro recommend when choosing a front door canopy?
According to Fenbro experts, it is beneficial to check the local conditions: how strongly is the door leaf exposed to sunlight? Do leaves gather around the door during autumn? Is the door located near a road, so that the door is threatened by slush in winter? The answers to all these questions should be taken into account in order to find suitable protection for your new door.
Could I need a larger front door canopy?
Yes, it is entirely possible – it depends on local conditions, such as heavy rainfall, strong winds, or nearby trees that may affect how much protection your entrance needs.
How often should front door cleaning and maintenance be carried out?
Fenbro specialists recommend cleaning the door leaf around twice per year and not forgetting it – at the same time, one can lubricate the hinges.
Is it really true that one can sand and refinish a solid wood front door?
Absolutely! Solid wood is practically the only door material that can be worked on so advantageously. One can, for example, refinish plastic doors as well, but generally no material offers as many possibilities as hardwood.
